Key Points

Mortality: The number of deaths (all ages and those aged 75 and older) recorded during week 50 of 2016 remains below expected levels for this period.

Emergency department visits by vulnerable populations: a sharp increase in activity among children under 1 year of age and those aged 75 and older, exceeding alert thresholds, particularly linked to the onset of winter epidemics (influenza and bronchiolitis).

Virology: Among the 147 samples testing positive for respiratory viruses from the laboratories at the Bordeaux and Poitiers university hospitals, the majority tested positive for influenza A (3 in Bordeaux and 35 in Poitiers). We also note the detection of 34 rhinoviruses/enteroviruses (17 in Bordeaux and 17 in Poitiers) and 29 respiratory syncytial viruses (11 in Bordeaux and 18 in Poitiers).

Gastroenteritis: activity has dropped sharply for SOS Médecins, with the proportion of consultations falling below the alert threshold (7.6%). In contrast, activity for gastroenteritis in emergency departments continues to rise, remaining above the alert threshold. The trend is the same at the national level.

Bronchiolitis: The epidemic continues in the region, with indicator thresholds exceeded in emergency departments (15.2% of visits) and at SOS Médecins (12.4% of cases) for the third consecutive week. In week 51, the proportion of hospitalizations following an emergency department visit was 43%, up from the previous week (39% in week 50). RSV circulation remains active, with 11 and 18 RSV cases detected in week 51 by the virology laboratories at the Bordeaux and Poitiers university hospitals, respectively. Activity in the AquiRespi network is also increasing, with 298 cases handled during the on-call shifts on December 24 and 25. Nationally, all metropolitan regions are in the epidemic phase, and there is a nationwide decline in the number of emergency room visits and a stabilization in the number of SOS Médecins consultations.

Influenza and influenza-like illnesses: epidemic situation in the NA region with increasing influenza activity, particularly in hospital emergency departments and SOS Médecins, with values above the threshold. The proportion of hospitalizations following emergency department visits for influenza was 18% in week 51 (it was 66% for people aged 65 and older). Nationally, influenza activity is on the rise, with a majority of influenza A(H3N2) viruses detected, and the epidemic has begun in all regions except Corsica. The impact is more pronounced among those aged 65 and older.

Reportable Diseases (MDO): no unusual events in the region during week 50.